Bea and Carla’s first collab fuels ‘Widows’ War’

MANILA, Philippines — The drama about two women named Sam and George begins to unfold tonight in “Widows’ War” on GMA Prime. They are best friends who are unaware that they marry men who belong to the Palacios family.

At some point, the life-altering loss of a loved one happens and their friendship is put to the test. These are the primal, cold hard facts that one can hold on to in navigating the plotline and making sense of the actions Sam and George will take.

Taking on the characters of Sam and George are Bea Alonzo and Carla Abellana, respectively, who will bring their rich wealth of acting experience to the thriller-tearjerker.

“Actually, hindi po ‘ko nakaka-relate gaano (I can’t relate to her that much) and she’s very different,” said Carla about George in a recent press conference. “My project prior to this one was ‘Stolen Life.’ In a way, I was thankful (because) it became a ‘stepping stone’ (for me to play my character now). My other character there, Farrah, was brave.”

A fan of “Afternoon Prime” knows that Carla essayed dual roles in “Stolen Life” as it touched on astral projection that gives a person the possibility to switch bodies.

“(George) is ambitious, she would do anything and everything to get what she wants,” added she. “‘Pag dating sa pamilya, gagawin niya lahat kahit mali (when it comes to family, she’ll do everything even if it’s wrong). So, iba, matapang itong si George.”

For Bea, she described Sam as “a fighter, and I like that she’s a gray character… So, I like that about her. She really fights for her family.”

Family-oriented characters are relatable to viewers, shared she, adding that Sam is someone who will never stop until she finds the truth.

Aside from the feisty and resolute female leads, “Widows’ War” features the talents of Bea and Carla as fellow actresses and collaborators for the first time. A murder mystery series will further highlight their mettle in acting.

“It’s my first time working with Carla and it’s also my first time doing a murder mystery drama on TV, even sa movies never ko pa siya nagawa (even in the movies I have never done it),” said Bea.

“I am glad na finally naka-trabaho ko na si Carla. She is very professional, she is a generous actress and she is very gracious… I think she is a gentle soul and I’m glad that I got to know her better.”

Carla, on the other hand, said of her co-star, “Every time we have a scene, I still get starstruck with her. It’s the truth. I think I mentioned one time na hindi ko akalain na aabot sa ganitong point na talagang makaka-trabaho ko siya kasi parang wishful thinking lang yun noon (I never thought that I would be able to work with her. It was just like wishful thinking back then).”

So when she learned the news about their project together, Carla felt excited.

“She is everything I imagined her to be, plus more, she’s very passionate, she’s dedicated to her craft, even the smallest details she knows. Mabait po siya at madali siyang pakisamahan, wala pong reklamo, very patient and of course, napaka-husay po,” said she.

To Bea, the genre is different and new, but the process of getting into the role is the same.

“As actors, we are also storytellers,” shared she. “So all the emotions are coming from a place of truth, within yourself. We’re not all perfect. There’s good, but there’s bad (in us)… somehow, as an actor, kinukuha mo yung maliit na bagay na yun, tapos mi-na-magnify mo (you get that bit and magnify it in playing a role). So I guess the process is the same, for me, as doing drama, or horror, or other genre.”

Since everything is at its onset in “Widows’ War,” what can viewers look forward to from its main narrative and key characters?

“Of course, may intense na eksena, parang hindi po kayo ma-bo-bore sa totoo lang po (there are intense scenes and it seems that you won’t get bored actually),” answered Carla.

“Hindi naman din po ito yung tipo ng kwento na wala silang ginawa kundi magsampalan o mag-away (it’s also not that kind of story in which the characters are only engaged in slapping and fighting), but you will always be on the edge of your seat kasi mapapakapit po kayo.”

Following her line of thought, one could glean that it would be challenging for viewers to take sides because Sam and George present valid contexts for their actions and decisions.

(“Widows’ War” airs Mondays to Fridays at 8:50 p.m.)